Bergmann Water Tunnels

The Bergmann Water Tunnels are a series of subterranean tunnels that carry raw water from the Hammer Valley and Two Gorges Valley to the Stalburg Central Water Plant, where the water is treated and distributed around Stalburg. The tunnels also provide water to the Pine Fell Water Plant, and contains a hydroelectric plant that generates electricity from the water flowing through the tunnels. In 2016, the tunnels are owned by the Stalburg City Council, with inspection and maintenance responsibilities contracted out to the National Consulting Group.

During a routine inspection on the 8th of August 2016, a floodgate failed and caused a tunnel to collapse a few hundred metres from the tunnel mouth in the Hammer Valley. This initial collapse triggered a series of other collapses along the tunnel, stopping all water flow across the entire network. The inability for water to flow from Lake Stalburg through the Hammer Valley was a major cause of the collapse of the Two Gorges Dam, which occurred 12 hours after the initial collapse.

Following the tunnel's collapse, the City of Stalburg awarded the contract for rebuilding the tunnels to the National Consulting Group. Reconstruction is still ongoing.

In INFRA, the Bergmann Tunnels are featured in Tunnel1, Tunnel3, Tunnel4, and Hallway.

History

The Bergmann tunnels were a series of tunnels constructed by the Bergmann Group prior to war, with the Bergmann Water Tunnels being one of them. Some time after the completion of the tunnels, the Bergmann Group began a project to reroute the Bergmann tunnels. The project encountered multiple issues along the way, one of which was numerous collapses caused by instability in the tunnel construction area. After the Bergmann Group was dissolved, the construction project was cancelled, and maintenance of the tunnels was relinquished to the city. Since then, the tunnels have fallen into a state of disrepair, mostly caused by negligence. While navigating through the tunnels, Mark experiences numerous collapses, one of which ends up stopping the tunnel's water flow entirely.

Overview

The Bergmann Water tunnels consist mainly of large concrete pipes, most of which have no external access. However, certain sections of the tunnels are significantly enlarged to allow for the placement of various control centers and access points, mainly around the tunnel's flow control gates. These sections are connected by various access tunnels, including the infamous Tunnel B2. Connected to the tunnels are various maintenance-related areas, some of which have either collapsed or been sealed off after being allowed to fall into disrepair. Significant locations or equipment in the tunnels are identified either by numbers or a combination of letters and numbers (such as flood doors, valves, tunnels, etc.).

Certain sections of the tunnels appear to have been left unfinished (either accidentally or intentionally), and involve the water in the tunnel passing through various cave areas. These sections are particularly notorious for being a prime location for Green Shrooms to grow, and serve as Stalburg's main source of drinking water contamination.

Notable Locations

Control Gate 1

Control Gate 1 is one of the three control gates located throughout the tunnels. Located near the tunnel entrance, the gate is situated in one of the maintenance areas scattered throughout the tunnel. One of the two control gates is jammed shut, presumably after it was allowed to fall into disrepair, and upon Mark's attempts to open the gate, the gate fails and causes a section of the tunnels to collapse.

Hammer Valley Hydro Outpost

Presumably a satellite facility of Hammer Valley Hydro, the outpost uses the fresh water supplied by the tunnels to generate electricity. The facility has presumably been abandoned for a significant amount of time, as the facility itself and surrounding areas have fallen into severe disrepair. The facility contains four hydroelectric generators, one of which has apparently caused significant trouble during the plant's operation. A note found on one of the facility's offices mentioning the generator causing a small ceiling collapse when activated, leaving one of the workers injured.

Tunnel B2

Possibly one of the most mysterious sections of the Bergmann Water Tunnels, Tunnel B2 is a connecting hallway that serves to connect the maintenance areas surrounding Control Gate 1 to sections further along in the tunnels. The tunnel is kept under tight security, making entry very difficult. This is likely done to not only prevent people from entering the tunnel, but also to keep the tunnel's main occupant, Mörkö, from escaping. Workers have reported various strange noises coming from the tunnel, and those who are curious enough to have a look inside often regret doing so soon after. Mörkö's presence in the tunnel is usually considered an "urban legend" by those who have not ventured into the tunnel.